"THERE’S a perception that it can sometimes be more difficult to weave slightly older children into family life, but that’s simply not the case,” said Blackburn with Darwen Council’s children’s services boss, Cllr Maureen Bateson.

“We’d encourage any potential adopters to always find out more.

“We’ve come a long way in recent years with regards to educating people on what the adoption process involves and busting misconceptions, but there’s still a lot more to be done.”

MORE TOP STORIES: At the start of this school term, 139 children were waiting to be adopted across the region.

A high proportion of those children are older, in sibling groups, black and ethnic (BME), mixed heritage and children with specific needs.

A national campaign has created National Adoption Week to throw light on to the issue and find as many ‘forever homes’ and parents-to-be as possible.

Both Lancashire County Council’s and Blackburn with Darwen Council’s children’s services bosses said there is a wide variety of children of all different ages looking for parents.

Michelle Jones, from Burnley, adopted her son Jack when he was four years old.

She said: “Being a mum, biological or otherwise, is a tough job whichever way you look at it, but the support we received after bringing Jack into our family was second to none.

“We felt an instant connection with him and his slightly older age meant he was more aware of who we were and how special he was to us.

“His little personality was well established and it was a fantastic learning curve for us from day one.

According to a YouGov survey, commissioned by adoption information provider, First4Adoption, people in the North West are most likely to know someone who’s been adopted, compared to the rest of the country.

Of those asked, 20 per cent said someone within their close family circle had adopted children and 43 per cent knew someone who had been taken in as a child.

‘Lauren’, a mum from Colne described adoption as one of the best decisions she has ever made.

She went through the process with the help of adoption agency Caritas Care.

She said: “Our story was completed two years ago now and I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful she is.

“She was meant to be ours and we were certainly meant to be hers.

“I have accepted we are good enough, more than good enough and we are her forever parents. She will always have her story and we proudly share it with her, but we no longer feel we are competing against her birth family, we celebrate them for giving our daughter life.

“I can’t recall the day we fell in love, it just sort of happened. She was mine, ours, and we were hers.

“I am so grateful to adoption, as it allowed us to realise our dreams and created our perfect little family.

“As I sit here watching my daughter playing in the garden I feel so much pride and I know, forever our baby she shall be.

“Allowing yourself to dream of the simple things is the greatest pleasure, of feeding ducks and pushing a pram, the things you’ve suppressed for so long.

“I relished walking down the children’s aisle in the supermarket, had finally given myself permission to step into this forbidden land.”

County Cllr Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “The need to find families for some of our most vulnerable children remains right at the heart of this year’s campaign.

“But it is important that we make sure that anyone who is considering becoming an adoptive parent understands the realities of adopting a child and the support available.

“We have urged people to remember that behind these figures are children who are waiting for their forever family.

“While we do have a small surplus of adopters in the region there are still children waiting over a year to be adopted.

“These children might wait longer because they’re a little older or have been identified as having an additional need but each child is unique and can bring a great deal to their new adoptive family.

“No-one should be put off inquiring because they’re single, cohabiting, living in rented accommodation, working full time or in a same sex relationship.”

The county council said the only legal requirement is that adopters must be more than 21 years old.

Blackburn with Darwen Council ‘Let’s Adopt’ team has placed 86 children with families since its inception in 2014.

It is hoping to recruit another 30 potential adopters within the next 12 months.

Cllr Bateson said: “We’re extremely proud that, as a local authority, we’re able to provide quality post-adoption support to families, and hold their hand every step of the way.

“While it’s essential that the overall message of adoption awareness is heard, there’s a particularly strong need for people who are happy to adopt children over the age of four and those with complex learning needs.”